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Champions for Children Basketball Tournament Taking Place

June 22, 2009

The first annual Champions for Children basketball tournament will take place Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12 at Shaw Gym at 28 Ball Park Road in Gorham to benefit children with developmental disabilities. The Franklin Community Health Network (FCHN) Foundation Office and the Morrison Developmental Center are organizing the event and hope to raise $50,000 for two worthy causes.

The beneficiaries will be the Morrison Developmental Center and the Evergreen Child Development Center. Together they serve families affected by developmental disabilities from southern to West Central Maine.

Tournament supporters are the Ladd Charitable Corporation and Kyes Insurance.

The tournament festivities will include guest appearances by the new Maine Red Claws dance team. In addition, basketball player Patrick Thibodeau, a recent graduate of Greely High School, will be on-hand Friday night to launch the festivities. Patrick is the student with Down syndrome who managed the Greely basketball team and got his chance to play in the team’s final home game—nailing a 3-pointer at the final buzzer—and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

There will be a high caliber of adult players from all over New England participating. Tournament games will be held Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., with a performance by the Maine Red Claws dance team from 5-6 p.m. On Saturday games will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday tournament hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children, and those under the age of 12 are free.

Ticket holders are eligible for prizes and concessions will be available. “This is an opportunity to enjoy affordable family fun, eat delicious food, participate in a silent auction, see the Maine Red Claws dance team, and more—all while helping Maine children with disabilities,” said Maureen Goudreau, FCHN Foundation Office director. “All the proceeds of this event will be split evenly between the two organizations and go directly to each program.”

The Morrison Developmental Center in Portland is a not-for-profit organization specializing in the support and development of children and adults with disabilities. It offers a broad range of day programs and services that support individuals and their families and encourage maximum growth and independence. With proceeds from the tournament, Morrison will expand their preschool and school age programming.

The Evergreen Child Development Center in Farmington treats children with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and difficulties with learning and school performance. The center opened in the fall of 2008 and has scheduled more than 225 new patients. Evergreen will use its proceeds to provide charity care for children whose families are uninsured.

For information about sponsorship opportunities and more, contact Maureen Goudreau, FCHN Foundation Office director at (207) 779-2471 or Dorothy White, development director at the Morrison Developmental Center at (207) 874-1125.